Alankar blames gold price as shop is robbed again

Alankar Jewellers in Leicester has been targeted by robbers for the second time in six months and its owners are blaming the high price of gold for the increase in crime.

Four men smashed their way into cabinets in the shop in Belgrave with hammers and escaped with an undisclosed sum of jewellery.

The attack on the family business took place on New Year’s Day. The shop was previously targeted in June, after which Alankar Jewellers partner Bihesh Pala gave an interview to Professional Jeweller airing his concerns over the high price of gold and the increased number of cash for gold TV ads creating a spike in crime at jewellery shops.

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Pala said that staff were threatened during the New Year’s Day attack but that nobody was hurt.

Pala told local newspaper the Leicester Mercury: "Fortunately, nobody was injured, although everyone is still in shock. We’ve been here for 40 years and nothing like this had happened to us until June. It’s all down to the high value of gold at the moment."

Leicestershire Police said that the incident is under investigation.

One conviction has been secured for the attack on Alankar Jewellers in June. Simeon James Good was jailed indefinitely in September for public protection and will serve a minimum of three years after pleading guilty to his role in the robbery. He was told that he would not be considered for parole until her was no longer believed to be a danger to the public.

During his interview with Professional Jeweller in June Pala talked about cash for gold ads on TV. He said: “It is a growing problem. I think what is escalating is the advertising for buying gold jewellery on TV and radio – it is inviting criminals to join the wagon. I think it should be banned. They are treating it like buying groceries. It’s not helping the police or jewellers.”